Pansy

The garden pansy ('''''Viola'' × ''wittrockiana''''') is a type of polychromatic large-flowered hybrid plant cultivated as a garden flower. It is derived by hybridization from several species in the section ''Melanium'' ("the pansies") of the genus ''Viola'', particularly ''V. tricolor'', a wildflower of Europe and western Asia known as heartsease. It is sometimes known as ''V. tricolor'' var. ''hortensis'', but this scientific name is suspect. While ''V. tricolor'' var. ''hortensis'' Groenland & Rümpler is a synonym of ''Viola'' × ''wittrockiana'', ''V. tricolor'' var. ''hortensis'' DC. refers to a horticultural variety of wild pansy (''V. tricolor'' without interspecific hybridization) that had been illustrated in ''Flora Danica'' in 1777 before the existence of ''Viola'' × ''wittrockiana''.

The chromosome number of ''Viola'' × ''wittrockiana'' is 2n = 44–52, with most cultivars being 2n = 48. The flower is in diameter and has two slightly overlapping upper petals, two side petals, and a single bottom petal with a slight beard emanating from the flower's center. These petals are usually white or yellow, purplish, or blue. The plant may grow to in height, and prefers sun to varying degrees and well-draining soils. Provided by Wikipedia